It prompted speculation that 64-year-old Saddam, who has ruled Iraq since 1979, is preparing to hand over power to one of his sons.

• 人们由这部小说推测64岁的萨达姆正准备将政权移交给他的一个儿子。萨达姆自1979年开始成为伊拉克的统治者，(至今已统治伊拉克20多年)。